Controlled-rigidity device for mechanical force transmission

Abstract

There is provided a device for the mechanical transmission of forces between a first input element and a second output element, characterised in that it comprises an input member (12) connected to the first element, an output member (14) connected to the second element and a force transmission block (16) which is interposed between these two block members (12, 14) and is capable of experiencing elastic deformation under the action of the compressive forces exerted on it by the two members when these are displaced relative to one another in the main force transmission direction (X--X), and in that it comprises a controlled means (24) for varying the rigidity of the force transmission block (16) in the main direction (X--X) by exerting a control force (FC) on it.

I claim: 
     
       1. Device for the mechanical transmission of forces between a first input element and a second output element, characterized in that it comprises an input member (12) connected to the first element, an output member (14) connected to the second element and a force transmission block (16) which is interposed between these two members (12, 14) and is capable of experiencing elastic deformation under the action of the compressive forces exerted on it by the two members when these are displaced relative to one another in a main force transmission direction (X--X), and in that it comprises means (24) for controlling the rigidity of the force transmission block (16) along a predetermined rate curve in the direction (X--X) by exerting a control force (FC) on it. 
     
     
       2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the control force (FC) is exerted on the force transmission block (16) in a direction (Y--Y) different from the said main direction (X--X). 
     
     
       3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises two plane opposite end faces (22E) which each interact respectively with the input member (12) and the output member (14), and in that the direction (Y--Y) of the control force is substantially parallel to the said end faces (22E). 
     
     
       4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises at least one central layer (20) of elastically deformable material, to the opposite faces of which are fastened two rigid end plates (22E) which delimit the said end faces of the force transmission block (16). 
     
     
       5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises a stack of layers of elastically deformable material (20), arranged between rigid plates (22). 
     
     
       6. The device according to claim 4 wherein each layer of elastically deformable material (20) is a thin layer of elastomeric material, and in that each rigid plate (22, 22E, 22I) is a metal plate adhesively bonded to the elastomeric material. 
     
     
       7. The device according to claim 3 wherein the two end faces (22E) of the transmission block are respectively in abutment against two mutually confronting reaction surfaces (36) of the device, and in that it comprises a wedge-shaped member (26) for exerting the control force (FC), which penetrates into the transmission block (16) in order to bring about the putting under compression, by a wedge effect, of the two opposite parts of the force transmission block (16), each of which is delimited, on the one hand, by one of the two end faces (22E) of the force transmission block (16) and, on the other hand, by the corresponding inclined face (28) of the member (26) for exerting the control force (FC). 
     
     
       8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the two inclined faces (28) of the member for exerting the control force (FC) form the same angle (a) relative to the main force transmission direction (X--X). 
     
     
       9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the control-force exertion member (26) is interposed between two rigid plates (22I) of the force transmission block (16). 
     
     
       10. The device according to claim 5 wherein each layer of elastically deformable material (20) is a thin layer of elastomeric material, and in that each rigid plate (22, 22E, 22I) is a metal plate adhesively bonded to the elastomeric material. 
     
     
       11. The device according to claim 7 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises at least one central layer (20) of elastically deformable material, to the opposite faces of which are fastened two rigid end plates (22E) which delimit the said end faces of the force transmission block (16). 
     
     
       12. The device according to claim 7 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises a stack of layers of elastically deformable material (20), arranged between rigid plates (22). 
     
     
       13. The device according to claim 11 wherein each layer of elastically deformable material (20) is a thin layer of elastomeric material, and in that each rigid plate (22, 22E, 22I) is a metal plate adhesively bonded to the elastomeric material. 
     
     
       14. The device according to claim 12 wherein each layer of elastically deformable material (20) is a thin layer of elastomeric material, and in that each rigid plate (22, 22E, 22I) is a metal plate adhesively bonded to the elastomeric material. 
     
     
       15. The device according to claim 9 wherein the force transmission block (16) comprises a stack of layers of elastically deformable material (20), arranged between rigid plates (22).